Canasius Kanangire: The scholar CEO who grew up dirt poor in a refugee camp

Then came 20 years in academia (1986-2006), where he worked as dean, lecturer, and director of research committees at universities in Congo, Rwanda, Belgium, and Egypt. He served as Executive Secretary at the African Ministers’ Council for Water, the Lake Victoria Basin Commission, and the Nile Basin Initiative.

He also made time to raise seven children, return to his native Rwanda after more than 34 years, and find his roots. He drove taxis and took a boat to Goma to trade maize and beans to make ends meet. Most importantly, he taught the men how to fish with his deep knowledge of aquatic sciences.

The only thing that Dr. Kananger seems to have failed to achieve is his dream of becoming a doctor.

I recommend the chapter on my childhood, growing up in Bukavu, Congo, in a farming family. It was a humble beginning, marked by scarcity but abundant familial love – a fascinating dichotomy.

School life was challenging, and many children dropped out of school early. But my parents were determined to give me a better chance.

They enrolled me in a school 10 kilometers away, and I remember my father getting up early every morning to take me there before he went back to work. High school was only possible through the generosity of missionaries, as my parents had eleven children.

Of all my siblings, only my brother and I made it to university. One of my sisters, who carried the frustration of missed opportunities, eventually returned to school in her 50s and graduated.

These beginnings were not easy at all, but they instilled resilience and a deep determination to change my life and advance my family.

My childhood taught me that with perseverance everything can change.

After I finished my studies, I devoted myself to academic work, working as a teaching assistant, senior lecturer, and researcher. I taught in Congo, then at the University of Rwanda, and even worked as a visiting lecturer in Belgium for a master’s program.

Teaching has given me the privilege of shaping young minds, mentoring and contributing to their development.

However, one of the most impactful moments in my career was the opportunity to work with rural communities, especially with aquaculture farmers.

I taught them sustainable fish farming practices and witnessed how their lives changed through this knowledge, which left a profound impact on me.

This experience has broadened my perspective, and it has become clear that my next step is to move from policy making and theoretical teaching to practical service – where I can see the real, tangible impacts of my work on people’s lives.

This is a difficult question. (Pauses) I once aspired to be a doctor, and I was drawn to the idea of ​​healing and saving lives. Although I never followed this path, my fascination with medicine remains. It may be too late to get a medical degree, but I still have a deep admiration for this field and its ability to change people’s lives.

No, I feel like I’m in my 50s. I have the energy and ambition of a younger person, and there are still many plans waiting to be implemented. I think I can continue to bring these ideas to life for the next 20 years. There is youth in my heart.

Oh, this would be a whole book of my life! (Laughs) During my teaching days in Congo, financial constraints forced me to look for alternative sources of income. Bukavu, where I lived, was not fertile, so I traded produce like potatoes, beans and maize between Goma and Bukavu.

I set up a small shop, and then, with a veterinarian friend, I co-founded a pharmacy and even ran a butchery on the side. There was a time when I ventured into the taxi business, although my driver was initially dishonest, embezzling enough to buy his own taxi. (He laughs)

I decided to drive the taxi myself, and it turned out to be a profitable venture. My knowledge of the national park and my fluency in English made me popular with Western tourists.

If there is a group requesting transportation, the other drivers will say, “Call the professor to pick them up.” Nowadays, I am also experimenting with farming.

Rwanda’s tragic history, especially the events of 1959, forced many to flee, including my father. As the violence escalated, countless Rwandans fled to neighboring countries such as Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania and Congo.

My family took refuge in Congo, where I was born and raised in a camp. Life was hard. Although we had some rights, we were constantly reminded that we were outsiders, which limited our ambitions. After the liberation of Rwanda by President Kagame, I returned to my homeland after 34 years.

Seeing others so closely connected to their ancestral villages highlighted how much I lacked this sense of belonging. I never had the opportunity to live in my parents’ village, so I don’t have any deep connection.

However, the period of liberation redefined my understanding of homeland. I feel that I am a good citizen of Rwanda as a whole, and that I am free to put down roots anywhere within its borders.

Initially, I settled in the southern region, but after 10 years I moved to the capital, Kigali, where I now feel deeply at home. Although I missed certain cultural roots, I gained a broader connection to the nation itself.

Nothing I can see easily, except the resilience it builds. (Pause) Being a refugee thrusts you into an extremely difficult situation, forcing you to either accept your fate or fight tirelessly to change your narrative.

My experience has taught me how to persevere in the face of adversity, and I am now more confident in my ability to overcome any challenge that comes my way.

(Laughs) If I could have more, I would.

Yes, I never imagined that I would reach this point. This trip has exceeded my expectations, and I owe a lot of it to hard work and, above all, to divine grace. I realize that many people have worked just as hard and were not so lucky.

I am so grateful and eager to celebrate life with my family. We enjoy visiting national parks, both within Rwanda and across East Africa.

Exploring places like Virunga, Nyungwe Forest and Masai Mara gives me immense pleasure and a sense of connection with nature.

I love spending quality time with my children and grandchildren, swimming, and playing football. Having grandchildren is the reward you get for raising children.

I want to give a message of hope to those living in humble circumstances, just like I did before. To anyone who feels they lack the resources or opportunities of their peers, remember that change is possible. With vision, determination, and consistent effort, you can change your situation.